Environment Minister visits EPA

Mr. Akwasi Opong-Fosu, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), has charged staff of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to always protect the national interest at all times.

He said it was the responsibility of public and civil servants to protect public and national interests. He as well urged the staff of the EPA to be honest and promote the activities of the EPA to ensure the development of Ghana.

Mr. Opong-Fosu was addressing the management and staff of the EPA when he pays a working visit to the Head Office in Accra on Friday.

He said the emphasis at the global level was now green growth sustainability and urged the EPA to continue with their good work in protecting the country’s environment.

Mr. Opong-Fosu noted that climate change was one of the major issues that always come up at the United Nations General Assembly and that MESTI and its agencies were putting in place measures to protect Ghana from being left behind in addressing the issues.

Mr. Opong-Fosu also tasked the EPA to up scale the engagement of organizations and citizens to seek their expertise in order to help solve some of the problems.

He assured them of MESTI support to the EPA in areas that needed the Ministry and Government’s attention without inference.

Mr. Daniel Amlalo, Executive Director of the EPA, said the Agency had a five year strategic plan which was aim at addressing climate change and improving air quality; cleaning up communities and advancing sustainable development; ensuring the safety of chemicals and preventing pollution; protecting human Health and the environment by enforcing laws and assuring compliance.

He said the EPA was faced with many challenges. He pointed out that the major challenge was illegal mining which continued to be on the rise. He warned that much attention was needed to address it.

Mr. Amlalo noted that the EPA was understaffed and also needed much logistics to fight the problem of illegal mining and that Government should support the agency to recruit more professionals and experts to deal with the situation.

Mr. Emmanueul Appoh, Head of Environmental Quality Department at the EPA took the Minster and his entourage round their operation site while briefing them on the operations of the Agency.

Among the entourage was the Chief Director of MESTI, Dr. Sylvester Animana and Madam Levina Owusu, Director of Planning at the Ministry.